Drivers Solutions/PAM Transport Training Log.

Thank you Sammy I to am going to Asheboro NC on July13I'm in a bit of a different boat I have over 10 years experience I got out of the truck in 2009 when my ex wife got sick to take care of her so now I got the itch to drive again but I need a CDL but can't pay for school myself so I'm going the pam route I'm just wondering if you still like the company and if they are treating you right

So to begin with, I had decided on PAM Transport/Driver Solutions to help me in gaining my CDL training and advance my knowledge in the trucking industry.

So as many others have done I am going to keep a log of what is happening while I am here so others who may be considering a path with Driver Solutions/PAM Transport. I will note that while searching through the many different companies out there to aid me in this journey, Driver Solutions is the ONLY company that returned my call and accepted me as a student. Note: I have a perfect driving record, excellent work history with no gaps and NO complaints from previous employers about my work ethic. I always try my best and achieve what I aim for. (So not really sure why only Driver Solutions contacted me within a 3 month period) But anywho...

I have heard MANY good and bad things about this training course as well as with other companies and since this is the only return call I received, I am going to run with it and keep my spirits high and learn as much as I can while I'm here. My biggest concern is that of the hand full of stories I have read about this program, it seems that more are kicked out/quit than ever graduate. The main reason being the physical portion within the first few days/first week.

In an attempt to prepare for this I have been monitoring my BP somewhat closely over the past week and it has held well within the limits of at least receiving a 1 year cert and maybe a 3 month temp cert. I am not the healthiest person around but I try to stay a little active to keep my lungs going strong.

With that said (and it doesn't really mean much I guess) I am here in Asheboro NC @ the motel and first impressions are dim, this is by no means the Hilton but it will definitely work for the course of a few weeks while in training. I read many reviews about the motel and was expecting a lot worse apron arrival. The room does have a "death" smell to it, very musty and apron inspection of the sheets, I will be using my own comforter and pillow during this stay. The carpet in this room in particular is extremely old (15+ years or more) just based on looks and smell. You can see where they painted the walls and didn't even bother moving the pictures just painting around them. The sinks are kinda grungy and the bathtub (Walls/Plastic) are cracked which allow water in behind them while showering. Took me about 5 minutes to finally get the door to open (They use a key card that you insert/remove and move the door handle UP not down.) IT was almost as if it was stuck from not being used for a bit, probably just my own ignorance haha.

Note: This is just what I see with the Motel and is by no means a deal breaker for the training. I provide this info because I could not find a reliable source of information while searching the net so I will provide what I see.

I arrived here at about 3:30pm, which is a bit early to be honest but I am ready to get things going and I figured it would be a good time to get some more studying in before tomorrow. I have been making my way through the High Road and I must say that I am feeling good about this just from what I have completed already. And I will continue to complete it as much as I can while in down time.

I took the time to go have a first look at the training facility, and here is my outlook from what I seen when I went.

If you are looking for a "State of the Art facility" then do not come here. The building itself is old and somewhat run down (And if you rely on Google Maps to guide you to all of your destinations, you will be sent 3 miles in the wrong direction. The facility is almost directly across the street (walking distance if you cross a few roads) For warned) Regardless of the condition of the building I have no donut that they trainers here will be excellent teachers and make sure we are ready to prowl the road with our CDLs. They have about 8-10 trucks w/ trailers behind the building and a decent sized lot for maneuvering the trucks while training.

I know this sounds like a bunch of ranting but I assure you it is not. I am here to better myself and get into this new career path. This is just what I have observed so far and I will be adding plenty more as the days go on. Granted if I make it through this Physical aha.

Hoping for the best and I will update as new information racks my brain. Happy trails everyone.

Great info

Any new info on this? Still with PAM? This is one of the companies I am looking at.

Any new info on this? Still with PAM? This is one of the companies I am looking at.

Bolt, have you made a decision? I too am looking at Pam. I haven't talked to anyone, but have got replies from a new hire. He is a team driver and sounds like Pam has a six month requirement for team driving. Can anyone confirm?

Im headed to PAM next week Ill try to keep everyone updated on what its like i just finished training in Asheboro, NC

Im headed to PAM next week Ill try to keep everyone updated on what its like i just finished training in Asheboro, NC

ok i arrived at PAM monday morning they split up the classes into 2 groups group 1 stays in the classroom group 2 goes to the range. the instructors are nice and don't yell at you unless you really screw up. the classroom instructors teach you safety everything we do is revolved around safety. at the end of the week we get onto another greyhound going anywhere in the U.S. so far this has been a great experience besides staying up for 34 hrs straight on a greyhound. Tontitown is a nice enjoyable place restraunts are all around the hotel we usually walk and explore this place when we get back to the hotel. the trucks are a lot better than what you probably had in c1 trainning which i went to FTA in AsheboroNC which didnt have too bad of trucks they were all Volvos. PAM has excellent opportunities and a great place to work. Yes they require 6 months team drivivng but you pick who you wish to team with as long as they live within 100 miles from you.

Hello again everyone. Sorry for not keeping an eye on this topic but I have been really busy.

So here is an update for those whom are still thinking about, whom are already undertaking, or whom are not so sure what is going on with PAM Transport in general.

So here it is 03/05/16, and I am just a tad over a month away from completing my Contract with PAM (04/20/16). So here is some information about what I have been through in the last 11 months.

PAM as a whole is not a bad company to work for, and I seriously mean that. I have had very little problems in the grand scheme of things with PAM. But I will tell the good and the bad as best I can.

The GOOD: -If you just do your job and drive, you will get the miles.

-They have never messed up on my pay.

-You will get a lot of long haul runs (1200-2000 miles one way)

-You as a new driver are expected to make mistakes and they understand that and help you the best they can.

-The Equipment is in very good condition (I have drove 2 2015 International ProStar 10 Speeds with no issues at all)

-The DMs that I have dealt with (3 in total as MAIN DMs) are good people who want to see you make money. They do their job as long as you do yours.

- (My personal experience and talking to friends whom I met in school) You will do very little North East runs. But you will go to Michigan a lot. Deal with it.

** And I'm sure there is more but I can not think of it as i sit here typing this.

The BAD -*Almost all load assignments that I have ran over this last 11 months (164 loads to date) are incorrect in some way, whether it be incorrect Pick-Up numbers, Incorrect addresses, Incorrect Pick-Up & Delivery times or getting assigned a load that was also assigned to another driver by a different DM/Department.

** This is a BIG one!! Do your research on every load you receive!! Get on Google Maps and find the place, Use the 'Request Directions" Macro and compare what it says to where your Load assignment says. DO NOT JUST INPUT THE ADDRESS AND DRIVE, YOU WILL GO TO THE WRONG PLACE/STREET/CITY/STATE!! (I had a load that said to deliver in TN and it was actually in KY) Do not take this lightly, triple check everything.

- (From a friend) The Log department will put you on "Probation" for not operating your Qualcomm correctly. Even when you are team driving and your team driver does not fill out his Macros/Load tab correctly you will also be punished for the mistake. PAM insist that you babysit one another and be sure everything is done correctly. Failure to do so will result in you being punished as one. Don't slip!

- You will be dealing with Laredo, TX A LOT!! Ending up in Laredo, TX give a good 60-75% chance that you will spend the weekend there if you show up late Friday night or Saturday/Sunday. The Border closes @ about 5pm friday, is only open a few hours Saturday (2-3 hours) and a few hours Sunday (2-3 hours). Loads get hard to come buy unless you build a good rep with your DM , CSR and Planner. You work hard, you get loads to get you out when others sit. (From personal experience I have been chosen to run loads over others because I run hard and get all loads there on time or Early without questions or complaints)

**I'm sure there is more, just not coming to mind at this moment**

All in all? PAM is a decent company to start driving for. Work hard and show you are worth the investment and you will be rewarded for your service.

Some things you may want yo know: Pay scale - -First 6 months 0.175 (17.5 cents per mile) Team driving (Required for a total of 6 months within the first year) -Second 6 months 0.19 (19 cents per mile) Team driving -Second 6 months 0.25 (25 cents per mile) Solo driving -1 year of driving 0.29 (29 cents per mile) Solo driving -1 year 1 month of driving 0.32 (32 cents per mile) Solo driving

As of the day of this reply, this is the current scale. It may change, it may not.

Where all do you go driver? -CA, AZ, TX, AR, LA, MS, AL, FL, GA, SC, NC, TN, KY, OH, MI, VA, WVA, MD, ME, PA, NJ, NY. Not much more than that.

I have personally seen many come and go. I personally try and stick to my commitments and finish what I start no matter how hard it is sometimes. But I am what seems to be a rare breed now a days. So if you really want to get into driving a truck and think you have what it takes, jump on in and get it done. Keep your record clean, ask questions when ever you have them and don't listen to cry baby steering wheel holders who think they live on cloud nine. Make your own assumptions and think for yourself. Out of my class in school there are only 4 of us still with PAM, out of the class after ours there are only 2 left.

No one said it would be easy.

Please if you have questions or anything please feel free to send me a email @ dschristenbury@gmail.com as I can check that a lot more often then the forums.

Just want to say thanks again to this site for all the information it provided before I even went into school to start training, it put me so far ahead of the other students that knew nothing when we all showed up and it made a world of difference. Do not overlook the study material here. USE IT! It's FREE!!

I live close to Laredo so that is awesome for me!

I know this is an old post but you trained at Future Truckers? I trained there in 2005..ghetto facility but I really enjoyed the trainers. With exception of one, wanna be frat boy/owners son.

I am starting my training for my cdl on 25 july 2016 at suburban cdl training in the detroit mi area anyone one there if so how well is it and any pointers for going there...i am looking for reviews for pam transport as well good and bad probably the same as any other company work hard they treat you well??? please if anyone has anything to help me with this new journey please dont hesitate you can email me at youngs.david84@gmail.com or call me at 616-323-7836 as well would like to learn more about the school and pam transport thank you